New Mexico Corrections Department

08/31/2026

🎉 Congratulations to these employees at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Los Lunas on their recognitions and milestones!

Custody Employee of the Month for July: Sgt. Jorden Bojorquez

Non-Custody Employee of the Month for July: Classification James Sublett

15 Years of Service: Lt. Chris Aragon

10 Years of Service: Correctional Officer Jesus Bosques

10 Years of Service: Sgt. Juan Sandoval

Thank you for all you do! 👏⭐️

08/31/2026

𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 = 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲

👏 Seven students successfully completed a career technical program at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility in Las Cruces that equips them with the foundations needed to pursue careers as licensed plumbers, after they release back into their communities.

These students now have their certifications from the National Center for Construction Education and Research, as well as OSHA 10 certifications. 🛠️

During the course of six weeks, they received training provided by the Mountain View Vocational Institute, attending classes five days a week for eight hours each day. 📚

Funding for this program came through the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions’ Southwestern Area Workforce Board.

Thank you to our awesome facility staff and the Reentry Division team for making this program a success! 🌟





New Mexico Dept. of Workforce Solutions

08/25/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Roswell Correctional Center’s Lieutenant Brand Fraze for 25 years of dedicated service with the New Mexico Corrections Department!

To mark this milestone, facility leadership and staff presented Lt. Fraze with a plaque and a beautiful celebratory cake.

Thank you for all you do, and congratulations!

08/24/2026

👏 A remarkable 69 incarcerated individuals successfully earned their Forklift Certification at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility’s Level 1 Farm in Los Lunas!

Their training included four hours of classroom instruction📚, along with hands-on experience with the equipment.

Eligibility for this certification program is available to those within two and a half years of returning to their communities. The certifications remain valid for three years, providing enough time for participants to find employment before needing to recertify.

Thank you to our Reentry Division team and facility staff! Your hard work and dedication is not only changing lives for the better, but you’re helping to create safer communities for all New Mexicans.

08/24/2026

The New Mexico Corrections Department hosted the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) for a 40-hour, instructor-led Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) training.

Participants included both security and non-security staff from across the state.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐈𝐓 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠?
The CIT training program is specifically designed to teach participants how to identify and reduce crises and promote better outcomes for individuals with serious mental illness or trauma histories, thus creating safer environments for both staff and incarcerated individuals.

👏🙌 Thank you to the fantastic NIC trainers, our staff, and to the NMCD Behavioral Health Authority Pam Smith for making this training a success!

08/20/2026

🐾 🎓This week, 16 dogs graduated from the dog training programs at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility!

The ceremony was a tail-wagging success, complete with delicious pup cups! 🐶

During the past eight weeks, these dogs have learned essential skills to help them become more adoptable, and we’re happy to announce that 15 of the graduates found their forever homes, including placements with some of our incredible staff members! 🏡❤️

However, there’s still one special pup looking for a family: Mr. Waffles (Last photo)

If you’re interested in welcoming him into your home, please contact Unit Manager Stephanie Cordova at [email protected].

This program is done in partnership with Valencia County Animal Services.

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

🌻 Inmates at the Guadalupe County Correctional Center in Santa Rosa crafted wooden designs that will be permanently installed at the famous Blue Hole, in preparation of next month’s Pecos Sunflower Festival. Additionally, the inmates designed the festival t-shirts.

The Pecos Sunflower Festival celebrates the peak bloom of Pecos sunflower at the Blue Hole Cienega Nature Preserve. 🌻

The materials for this project, were purchased by Guadalupe County.

🙌 A big thank you to our incredible facility staff for making community projects like this not only possible, but such a huge success!




Guadalupe County

08/19/2026

Five additional students have successfully completed the professional culinary training program at the Penitentiary of New Mexico in Santa Fe!

The program culminated in a graduation lunch featuring a delicious spread that included burgers, enchiladas, chilaquiles, posole, and french toast. 🍽️

This marks the sixth class taught by Chef Fernando Ruiz, a three-time Food Network champion. Chef Ruiz is also the owner and operator of Escondido, a popular restaurant in Santa Fe.

The multi-week culinary training program emphasizes professional cooking techniques. Graduates receive a certificate from the Entrepreneur Institute of Northern New Mexico, which includes the AAA Food Handler and ServSafe certifications, ensuring they are job-ready upon leaving prison.

This program has already resulted in individuals leaving prison and securing employment at restaurants in their communities. 👏

Funding for this program comes from the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s Integrated Education and Training Program, which provides adult learners the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials in high-demand fields.




Chef Fernando Ruiz
New Mexico Higher Education Department